What is the Graduate Equity Fellowship?
The Graduate Equity Fellowship Program at CSU Dominguez Hills provides financial support to CSU, Dominguez Hills graduate students who
exhibit strong academic performance. The program is designed to increase the pool of CSU Dominguez Hills graduates who pursue and
complete doctoral programs and consider teaching careers. Fellowships range from $500 to $4500 for the academic year. The maximum grant
period for any student is two years.
Who is eligible?
Graduate Students in need of financial aid, who are accepted to a graduate program, show a strong academic record, have a faculty
sponsor, and commit to a research project are eligible for the fellowship.
Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and be determined eligible for financial aid in accordance with the
Congressional Methodology and Federal Verification Standards, and maintain the following eligibility criteria:
(1)
Be a California resident or have an AB540 affidavit on-file with your CSU campus
(2)
Be admitted to a CSU and to a master’s program as a classified or conditionally classified student
(3)
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
(4)
Have financial need of at least $1000
(5)
Enroll at least half-time in an eligible master’s degree
(6)
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (3.0 GPA)
Eligible students are those who are likely to complete a master’s degree expeditiously. One purpose of the fellowship is to minimize the debt
burden by replacing loan money with grant money. It is intended that the fellowship will enable students to complete their programs more
quickly than would otherwise be possible. Graduate fellows are encouraged to continue on to doctoral programs and to consider faculty careers.
What must you do if selected as a graduate fellow?
(1)
Must work with a faculty member in your department who will collaborate with you on projects related to your area of research
(2)
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA in 6 or more semester units per consecutive term to be consider for continuing participation
(3)
Must agree to participate in group meetings and ongoing advising
(4)
Must prepare a presentation for the Campus Research Event, Student Research Day, and the CSU Annual Research
Competition and Conference.
(5)
Must volunteer at New Graduate Student Orientation
You may expect your fellowship to be renewed for a second year if you fulfill the above requirements.
How do I apply?
The following are steps to follow in applying for the Graduate Equity Fellowship. Read and follow the directions precisely.
1. Graduate Equity Fellowship application - Complete the attached application legibly and thoroughly.
2. Financial Aid Application. - If you have not already applied for financial aid for the term for which you are applying for the
Graduate Equity Fellowship, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA
applications are available from the financial aid office. NOTE: Processing of the FAFSA form takes 4-6 weeks, so please plan
accordingly.
3. Letters of Reference - Have two (2) letters of reference submitted to the Graduate Equity Fellowship Coordinator (WH 445). One
letter must be from a faculty member at the last college you attended. The other letter must be from your proposed faculty mentor.
PLEASE USE THE ENCLOSED FORMS.
4. Letter of Intent - Submit a Letter of Intent with the enclosed graduate fellowship application.